Chapter 440

Linking arms with Shi Yao, she walked slowly through the center of the parted crowd.

“… Sorry.”

As she passed Chen Zhen, the word reached her ears.

She paused, turning her head slightly to look at him. “Hmm?”

Chen Zhen met her gaze, his eyes fierce yet awkward, his voice stiff. “I said… Alarieka… I’m sorry. Please… don’t hold my earlier words against me.”

Alarieka drew out a soft, deliberate “Oh.” Then she smiled. “That depends entirely on my mood.”

The smiles on Chen Zhen and the others’ faces froze slightly.

Having delivered this crisp, decisive line, Alarieka tightened her hold on Shi Yao’s arm and strode purposefully towards the Argent’s villa.

The courtyard of the Argent’s villa was enormous, so Alarieka and Shi Yao had to walk for quite a while before they reached the entrance to the luxury mansion.

Shi Yao looked around and whispered, “How many years did you live here?”

Alarieka said softly, “Four or five years. I moved out not long after.”

Shi Yao was silent for a moment. “Did you move out willingly?”

Alarieka understood what he meant and suddenly laughed. “Alright, I was kicked out. It’s embarrassing, so don’t ask.”

Shi Yao didn’t say anything again.

Alarieka shook her head with a smile and pointed at the swing under the tree.

“There wasn’t a swing here before. I remember when I lived at the Argent’s villa, this tree wasn’t so tall. There used to be a stone table and chairs under it. Sometimes I would study here.”

Shi Yao said, “Really? What else?”

Alarieka smiled and told Shi Yao a few more stories from her past. She picked and chose some things that were acceptable to talk about.

Shi Yao listened in silence for a long while. “What about you and Kieran? Can’t you tell me about that?”

Alarieka’s eyes dimmed slightly: “There’s nothing worth saying between him and me. But if you want to hear it, I can tell you.”

“But…” Shi Yao pressed: “But what?”

Alarieka pursed her lips into a smile: “Are you sure you want to listen?”

Shi Yao’s tone deepened: “It’s all in the past anyway. It’s over. Fine, I’ll listen.”

Alarieka leaned closer to study his face, frowning: “You say you want to hear it, so why that sour look?”

Shi Yao turned his face away: “Not sour.”

Alarieka muffled a laugh: “Stop scowling. When Kieran gets here, if you keep that face, he’ll look handsomer than you.”

Shi Yao whipped his head around, glaring: “What’s that supposed to mean? Saying I’m not as good-looking as Kieran?”

Alarieka shrugged, amused: “I never said that. You’re twisting my words.”

Shi Yao stared intently, scrutinizing her expression: “You’d better not have meant it.”

Alarieka chuckled: “Really didn’t. You’re handsome, the handsomest, the most gorgeous man alive, happy now?”

Shi Yao snorted and readjusted his tie.

Alarieka shook her head, laughing softly. She scanned the layout of the Argent’s villa. Even after all these years, she could still recall events that happened in each corner.

Suddenly her gaze froze.

Up on the villa’s second floor, Kieran stood on a balcony, backlit, looking down at her with unreadable dark eyes. No telling how long he’d been watching.

Caught off-guard by his stare, the smile faded from Alarieka’s lips.

Shi Yao noticed her shift and followed her line of sight. Instantly, his eyes narrowed.

Alarieka quickly looked away, her tone now flatter than when reminiscing with Shi Yao.

“Let’s go.”

Eager to avoid the man Alarieka once loved, Shi Yao agreed instantly.

Alarieka looped her arm through his as they entered.

Only when they vanished from view did Kieran slowly withdraw his gaze, slipping one hand into his pocket.